According to architect and designer Andrea Keller of Los Angeles research has proven that by using elements of biophilia, meaning love of nature, such as natural light, plants, and a color scheme derived from nature, people are more creative, productive and confident. Interior designers are realizing that humans have an innate longing for nature, and that the natural environment has a calming effect on everyone. Fractals are geometries that are self repeating at multiple scales and appear in nature in many different forms.
One example is branches of a tree, which get smaller and smaller but are consistently form in multiple scales. You can also find fractals in the Fibonacci spiral which appears in sunflower seeds that form a golden spiral pattern and in the nautilus shell, among many other naturally occurring formations. Our cardiovascular, neurological and respiratory systems all have branching designs, and so we are naturally and subconsciously pulled toward designs like these.
The term for this is biomimetric design because it is mimicking nature. This design concept is emerging and promises benefits like stress reduction and cognitive enhancement. Manufacturers such as Mohawk Group Carpet and Momentum Textiles and Wallcoverings have introduced collections featuring fractal designs recently. It’s one more tool in our toolbox that can impact the mental health of a stressed out society.
Read more about biomimetric design from Interiors and Design magazine.